Research Technician I (Trait Evaluation) at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2017-0017
Location: Ibadan
Recruitment Type: National (3-year renewable contract)

Responsibilities
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Support Senior Research Support Officer, International Trials Manager and scientist of the am breeding unit in trait evaluation to generate high quality data and ensure project goals are accomplished;
• Carry out field, screen house and / or laboratory activities to determine agronomic, resistance (disease and pest) and quality attributes;
• Assist in the evaluation of agronomic traits, resistance to diseases and nematodes, and quality attributes within the Yam breeding unit to identify breeding clones with improved characteristics;
• Collect field, screen house and lab data using electronic devices and data management software;
• Assist with all research activities in yam breeding unit;
• Assist with preparation of fields and screen houses for planting;
• Assist with maintenance of field plots and screen houses, including fertilizer application, spraying of herbicides and tillage for weed control, spraying of insecticides in screen houses, and supervision of casuals;
• Assist in harvesting of yam and maintenance of yam storage facilities;
• Assist graduate students on research projects as required;
• Maintain working areas for Yam breeding unit in clean and organized manner;
• Follow Unit’s quality standards and strive for continuous improvement of performance and efficiency in the Unit;
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• ND in Science Laboratory Technology, General Agriculture with at least two (2) years’ relevant experience performing similar role

Competencies
Ideal Candidate must have:

• Applied knowledge in agronomy, crop breeding and genetics, plant pathology, postharvest storage, crop quality, and screen house nursery / field trial management.
• Excellent knowledge of data collection software programs.
• Demonstrated success in working in multi-disciplinary projects.

Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.